Celebrate Beer Day Britain with historic London pubs, riverside taverns, Soho favourites and perfectly poured pints across the capital. By Chris Johnson.
On 15 June, Britain raises a glass for Beer Day Britain, an annual celebration of the country’s brewing heritage and the pub culture that has shaped social life for centuries. More than 800 years after the Magna Carta first mentioned ale, beer and pubs remain central to British life, and London is one of the best places to enjoy both.
For visitors seeking the classic London pub experience, The George Inn in Borough is a fine place to begin. Dating back to the 17th century and rebuilt after the Southwark fire of 1676, it is London’s last surviving galleried inn. Close to Borough Market, London Bridge and The Shard, it offers real ales, pub classics and a generous dose of history.
Few pubs feel as steeped in London legend as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street. Rebuilt shortly after the Great Fire of London, this atmospheric maze of rooms has welcomed literary figures from Samuel Johnson and Charles Dickens to Mark Twain and WB Yeats. Its Chop House serves hearty traditional fare, including steak and kidney pudding, alongside Samuel Smith’s beers.
For riverside charm, head east to The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping. Dating from 1520, it claims to be the UK’s oldest riverside tavern. With flagstone floors, nautical character and Thames views from its terrace, it is a memorable spot for a pint after a walk along the river.
In Soho, The French House is a different kind of classic. Long loved by actors, writers, artists and bohemians, this Dean Street institution is famous for conversation, character and old-school charm. It has a no music, no machines, no TV and no mobile phones ethos, while upstairs, its intimate dining room serves rustic French cooking from a short daily menu.
Also in Soho, The Devonshire in Denman Street has quickly become one of London’s most talked-about pubs. Restored to its former glory, it combines a buzzing bar with a wood-ember grill restaurant upstairs. Expect a superb pint of Guinness, homemade bar food, Scottish beef butchered on site and classic dishes such as beef cheek and Guinness suet pudding.
For theatrical flair, Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden brings Victorian eccentricity to the heart of Theatreland, with traditional beers, punches, hearty snacks and a lively cockney singalong on Thursdays.
Finally, tucked away in Mayfair, The Punch Bowl offers Georgian character, polished British pub food and craft beers and ales. Whether you have a Sunday roast, a pie or simply a pint at the bar, these gems prove that London’s traditional pub is still very much worth celebrating.
